Jigawa had a big jamboree weekend when gangs of repentant thieves held a rally at Kudai, a village in Dutse Local Government Area of the state, and formed a body.
Gyara Kayanka (“Repair It Yourself” in Hausa language) was floated with the aim of helping reduce criminality by youth in the state, according to Ahmadu Dodo, the head of the association.
At the rally, each born-again robber came forward to take an oath and renounce stealing, promising to make restitution where possible. The association has returned four cows to their owners.
They also pledged to expose the buyers of stolen goods, including cows and farm produce.
Sone of the shy thieves preferred to take their oath privately. “We accepted them, but we compelled the stubborn ones to come to the podium to repent,” Dodo, who called himself retired thief, told journalists.
Local people trooped out from Kwaimawa, Laraba, Danmasara, Rungumau, Dadin Duniya and Kwanar Huguma villages to the special arena created in Kudai village to witness the ceremony.
“Put together, in this year we have been able to get 560 repentant thieves across the state, apart from this Saturday occasion which you can see is ongoing.”
The association promised to be of benefit to farmers and herders in the state because most of the repentant thieves were cattle rustlers and crop grabbers.
It will also tackle other acts such as substance abuse and indecent dressing.
They laws were instantly spelt out.
“No herdsman is allowed to walk with cutlass, or sword, no one is allowed to transport goat on motorcycle.”
“No one is allowed to cut down trees in the forest without the permission of agricultural extension worker, no farmer is allowed to set ablaze the remnant of stems in his farm.
“Anyone that calls a repentant thief a thief, after repentance, is subject to the fine of N100.000. and no Fulani woman is allowed to hawk beyond 6:00 PM.”
The state’s police command has yet to respond officially.
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